Sunday, August 23, 2015

A lost week

Last Sunday we had a craft workshop at the church. It was fun and we made progress with items for the bazaar.

 

 

 

I thought that the workshop would kick off a very busy week but ...

Monday afternoon I started feeling bad though and soon I was very very miserable. Caleb had a runny nose when we saw him Friday and Saturday. Sarah thinks his is mainly allergies though. But whatever mine was, it was no fun. Later in the week James had a sore throat and felt weak too.

Yes. The week was pretty much lost. Didn't feel like doing much. No hikes. A few feeble walks. No Stitchers on Thursday. Very slowly I did sort out a few more things In my queendom. Yeah! Of that I am proud. No church Sunday morning. Even so I felt finally better, I still sounded not so good. I thought people might feel anxiety if they thought they could catch something being to close to us. No need for that.

During the week we had tried to interest 3 different people (carpenter, painter, handyman) to mount two curtain rod brackets for us. We were very willing to pay. I didn't want James so high up the ladder. Drilling two holes into studs. Screwing two screws. None came through for us.

Saturday evening we decided to do just a little walk around the neighborhood. When we passed the house of our friends Larry and Janet they were outside and the garage was open. We chatted for a moment and since he had a large ladder (22 feet) we asked whether we could borrow it. They decided to come over though today to bring it. And it was really and truly long enough. And the men decided just to do it.

 

 

A bag to reach up tools.

 

 

 

Janet and I were mainly supervising from the living room. We all decided we love it!

 

 

Today would have been my mother's birthday! Sigh. At least I have wonderful memories. I had the best parents!

 

Saturday, August 15, 2015

First week back home

Friday we drove all day. Saturday James had his church men's breakfast.

I went to a quilters' yard sale in a church in Chesterfield. And I was there at 9am at opening. Some things were quite expensive but I did come home with two large bags of fabric. Mainly fat quarters but larger pieces too. Since then I washed and now iron, straighten, folding and sorting.

But what was this supposed to be? There where about a dozen pieces like this.

 

 

 

Monday August 10

 

The day of my monthly lace meeting and it was close to Sarah. I had asked her whether I could briefly stop by before going home since I had not seen her/them in a while. She decided she wanted us to stay for dinner.

Caleb was busy: eating a snack, watering the front porch plants ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... and waiting for Papa. He decided where Omi was Papa should be too. Finally Papa arrived too and read to him. Caleb likes books too.

 

 

 

 

Getting close to bedtime!

 

 

Back home I quickly finished the lace. This is my success of the day! Another lace Chrismon. Great feeling!

 

 

 

Tuesday August 11

CR Quilters in the morning (see other blog).

 

 

Wednesday

I had a meeting from 10 to 12 but after lunch James and I did a great hike, starting at the Pumphouse, walking the Northbank Trail etc etc. We had done it before so I didn't think I needed to take more pictures but it was a hot day and look at all those sunbathers and swimmers at the James River. The water level is very low right now so plenty of exposed rocks at the rapids.

 

 

 

6.63 miles says James gadget. Mine never says the same.

 

 

 

Thursday morning ... haircut at 9:30 and then right away to the Stitchers all day. The only thing we could do have a good neighborhood walk in the evening.

 

 

Friday

Complicated to get everything into the day we wanted to do. Another hike first so we got up at 6am and drove to the Pocahontas State Park which is a little further then Sarah. It was great!

 

 

 

The map doesn't show that we had to go some stretches several times.

 

 

We had planned to go home, shower, have lunch and then go to Sarah's. But time was running away. Friday is her day off and she wanted help with some drapes. Just to be on the safe side we had packed the sewing machine and a cooler with lunch in the car. Good thing we did. So I called Sarah whether we could shower there.

After lunch (Tomatenschnitten as appetizers while Sarah baked a pizza) we tackled the curtains. Caleb "helped".

 

 

 

Wade's birthday! He didn't want a party ... but somehow he got us for dinner anyway. Happy Birthday, Wade!

 

 

 

 

Saturday

Sarah's weekend to work. Wade claimed his "babysitting coupon" so he could play golf. 9am. James and I had brought the love seat from Nashville. It's either for Sarah or the church yard sale. James got it when he first arrived in New Jersey 40 years ago. Caleb likes it in his playroom.

 

 

 

Then we went for a 1.5 Mike walk. Caleb likes watching the boats on the river.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Very busy week. You think this is TMI? I left out a lot of things, ha-ha.

 

 

Monday, August 10, 2015

Still more Nashville time

Well, actually Monday was Bowling Green time. Helen's big plans: to visit the Lost River Cave.

First I need to report though that Helen got good news. Sunday morning she had gone with Drifter to take his test. Helen had worried about this test. He passed and is not only a "Canine Good Citizen" but also a Registered Therapy Dog, READ (Reading Education Assistance Dog). He has big paws to fill. His "older sister" Silvi has retired but I am sure that she (and Helen) helped change many children's lives for the better. We are happy for Helen.
Drifter is just like Silvi a rescue dog.


Back to Monday morning. It was about an hour's drive to Bowling Green in Kentucky. Weather was great and we found it easily. Order of business: buy the tickets and look for the restrooms. William was impressed with this sink.


We were sent here to wait for the noon tour in about 10 minutes . Helen took some of the pictures.



Just a little time to read about the area. A sketch always helps you better understand.


William is checking out the recycling bins. He threw something away for Helen and had to make sure about the right bin.


Our guide educated us about the blue holes and it was funny.


The entrance to the cave.


The boat ride was fun. William was a little scared so being on Papa's lap was great. Well, it was very dark.





In the very beginning and at the end we had to bend down very much because the ceiling was so low at one point.



The place has gone through several different stages over the years. At one point this was a dance floor. Actually, it is used now for the occasional wedding reception or other party. All can be subject to high waters though.


Afterwards we were heading for lunch and on the way we stopped at a quilt shop which is participating in the Row by Row. Quite a nice pattern.


They already had a winner and the quilt was displayed.


William's choice for lunch was Chick-fil-a. Afterwards Helen treated us to dessert.




Fun on the backseats on the way home.






When James and I dropped Helen and William off there were some tears. He wanted to spend the night. It was orientation evening at the school though and I think he was a bit worried about the whole thing. He finally calmed down when he understood that the plan was that his parents were bringing him in his pjs. Yeah, pajama party.
He met his new teacher, saw the school library and was quite happy. We had a good evening and good night.

Tuesday ... Helen is teaching
No school for William yet. So, after breakfast, the three of us drove to Murfreesboro. Helen had told us that there is a Discovery Center.



He was so excited and ran from station to station. We hardly could keep up with him. And there were two of us!
Yes, there is a VIDEO!



Another VIDEO!




It was really too hot to walk around outside.


Just a quick photo. I love water plants.


William's choice for lunch? Chick-fil-a again. Not far from it ... two quilt shops with Row by Rows.




Tuesday evening was "open house" at William's new school. He wanted Papa and Omi to come too. I must say it is an extremely friendly place.


William's teacher has labeled the lockers with the children's names and she was very impressed that he found his locker. I took this picture.


Helen took this one.


William checked everything out.


His room is on Smiling Street.


To celebrate we had dinner in Istanbul (a Turkish restaurant). William likes the lentil soup. We have been there a few times already.



Wednesday August 5th
Officially William's first day of Kindergarten. Helen shared photos with us.


This is the backpack HE selected.


Living just a little less then 1 mile from the school means no school bus. William will be a "walker" most of the time ... except if the weather is too bad or so.
Drifter was excited to pick up his boy too.


Of course Drifter couldn't go all the way (on school property) so Pops had to do that. William liked his first day (a half day) and wants to go every day.



He was disappointed when he was told "no school the next day because it was Election Day". He was ok with it though because it meant spending the night with Papa and Omi. He packed his little suitcase again. He loves to ring our doorbell.



These three played in the living room and I prepared some dinner for all of us. William loves it when all 5 of us are around the table.


He loves appetizers. Loves dipping the veggies.


I had not made "Frikadellen" in a long time. They must have been ok because not much left from 2 lbs.


William keeps finding all sorts of things in the toy box. Sometimes we have to invent a new way how to play with it. This one he got from Helen's friend Kim when he was just born. Her mother had made it.




Oh yes, more play after Ben and Helen had left. This thing from the dollar store gave us lots of laughs. And work-outs too when it landed behind the sofa or TV.
VIDEO!



Thursday ... Forecast said it would rain pretty much all day which was right. What to do?
He needed a raincoat (for walking to school) and I had to exchange 2 shorts at Carter's which I had brought from Virginia and didn't fit. Opry Mills Mall has a Carter's.
He was fascinated with the train which was right outside the store. He was very cooperative in the store and even tried on the new shorts in the fitting room. Of course he deserved a ride! VIDEO!



Just after walking down the mall a few steps William was excited to meet his friend from church Sedona and her dad.



At the other end of the mall is a restaurant called Aquarium. Oh, was he fascinated. So Papa splurged and invited us to lunch. This was the view from our table.
VIDEO!




The prices were a bit steep but he ate most of his "sand dollar pizza".



More walking. No chance to go past this ha-ha. VIDEO!
(At this point I have to apologize for the poor quality of the videos in this blog. They look good on my iPhone but after uploading ... Tried it several times. Don't know what is different this time. Sigh)



Back at the house. The forecast was right. Rain all day on and off. But we had things to do. The first thing he had said when he woke up that morning " your last day". Helen had prepared him well. He was kind of ok with it though and even helped me carry "his bed" back into the guest room. He even enjoyed the vacuuming.




Last evening. We were invited to dinner. Another lovely family meal. Ben sure knows how to use his green egg too. We had asked William to do a fashion show for his parents to approve the purchases. He wanted to know what a fashion show was so Omi demonstrated how you walk.



Later he showed off his new pjs. We seem to have done right.



Friday ... We woke up even before the alarm went off. On the road at 6am. All routine.
We broke with our routine a little though. James was a very good sport and we stopped at 3 quilt stores which were really close to the highway. I missed the one in Wytheville because I looked too late at the map. It was fun.
Kingsport, TN



Abingdon, VA


Fairfield, VA ... this one was very interesting because it was in a very old house (half of it). We were told it must be at least 200 years because it was the post office in 1811.



Home in good enough time to even go for a neighborhood walk. That felt good after sitting in the car all day.
We always love our Nashville visits but this seemed especially special. Maybe it is always the most recent one or may be its because William is getting older and we can interact more ...